Northern Virginia is a major center for cybersecurity employment, with federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology companies concentrated in the region, especially around Arlington and the Dulles corridor.
Marymount University, located in Arlington, offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. The program covers the technical and policy dimensions of protecting information systems and networks.
An important correction: George Mason University’s M.S. in Management of Secure Information Systems is no longer offered. The university proposed closing the program in 2019, so it should not be treated as a current option. Prospective students should verify the current status of any program directly with the university.
The Department of Defense sponsors the Cyber Scholarship Program, which supports students pursuing cybersecurity degrees at designated National Centers of Academic Excellence. Recipients typically commit to government service after graduation.
Students in the region can also explore related options such as cybersecurity master’s programs in Phoenix, learn about cybersecurity career roles, and use networking and internship resources to break into the field.

